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THE ATLANTA SEMI-WEEKLY JOURNAL, ATLANTA, GA., FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1913.
THE SEMI-WEEKLY JOURNAL
ATLANTA, GA., 5 NORTH FORSYTH ST.
Entered at the Atlanta Postoffice as Mail Matter of
the Second Class.
JAMES R. GRAY,
President and Editor.
SUBSCRIPTION PRIOR
Twelve months 75c
Six months 400
Three months “5°
The Semi-Weekly Journal is published on Tuesday
and Friday, and is mailed by the shortest routes for
early delivery.
It contains news from all over the world, brought
Zy special leased wires into our office. It has a staff
of distinguished contributors, with.strong departments
of special value to the home and the farm.
Agents wanted at every postotfice. Liberal com
mission allowed. Outfit free. Write R. R. BRAD
LEY, Circulation Manager.
The only traveling representatives we have are
J. A. Bryan, B. F. Bolton, C. C. Coyle, L. H. Kim
brough, W. W. Blackburn and J. W. Brooks. We will
be responsible only for money paid to the above named
traveling* representatives.
\
“Georgia Products Day.”
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Address all order*? and notices fo this de
partment to THE SEMI-WEEKLY JOURNAL
Atlanta, Ga.
Markets and Cost of Living.
Mayor Harrison of Chicago has organized a muni
cipal markets commission to investigate and make
recommendations upo the city market plan as it is
related to the cost c. living. Housekeeping' expenses
in Chicago have soared, as they have everywhere else;
and the suggestion of central markets has been re
ceived there as offering a remedy for the problem.
The commission will try to determine to what ex
tent consumers would profit by the establishment of
municipal markets. It is authorized to investigate
all food handling agencies.
This step by Chicago adds point to the similar
investigation already authorized in Alanta’s behalf.
A commission recently named here by the city will
give thorough investigation to the plan calling for
one or more central markets in Atlanta. It will in
spect markets elsewere and report later. Its favor
able recommendation upon the plan as a whole
seems to be anticipated.
There can remain small doubt in the mind of
anyone who has given even superficial study to the
matter, that a city market in Atlanta will go far
toward relieving household expenses. Aside from
all such matters as better supervision by the health
authorities over the city’s food supply, the concen
tration of it in one big market or even more than
one in the downtown section will reduce its cost and
increase its freshness. In the matter of cost, there
will be cut out the profits now made by the middle
man, who is quite essential under the present ar
rangement. • Also, the item of rent and other ex
penses which now come out of the pocket of the
consumer will be reduced materially. That the food
supply will be fresher when it can be delivered di
rectly at the market to the retailers, is plainly evi
dent.
Atlanta’s tendency tow-ard municipal and com
munity co-operation in bringing down the cost of
living shows the trend of the times. Chicago is but
one other example. The problem is not an individual
one. It concerns all in common. It cannot be solved
otherwise than by concerted and intelligent action.
Great Britain’s Our Friend.
It is most gratifying to hear such open assurance
of Great Britain’s continued friendship toward the
United States as was spoken the other evening at
the lord mayor's banquet in London by Prime Min
ister Asquith. That clarifies the atmosphere of the
last wisp of apprehension that Britain was not in
sympathy with our policy regarding Mexico and that
a misunderstanding between the two countries might
have resulted from the recent ill-advised criticism
by .Sir Lionel Carden in Mexico City.
It seemed then to be merely a matter of Sir Lionel
calking too much. Now we know that to have been
true. Since we are afflicted with Henry Lane Wilson,
who displays a similar tendency to indiscreet loqua-
ojousness, the United States can afford to dismiss the
incident as unofficial and not expressive even in a
slight measure of <4reat Britain’s attitude toward us.
“Our diplomatic relations with the United States
have been for a long time such that with the freest
frankness of discussion on all matters we both feel
the fullest assurance that nothing can happen to dis
turb our common resolve to attain and maintain a
sympathetic understanding,’’ said the prime minister
If the plans for “Georgia Products Day,’’, Novem
ber 18, gave promise of nothing mere than a mam
moth feast of good things producel within this state,
they would cause the praises of the Georgia chamber
of commerce to be sung from border to border. But
they do promise more than that. They will aston
ish Georgians themselves by the revelation of variety
and plenty which tneir state can supply. Even the
committeemen in charge of those plans, though tlmy
were w®ll informed and had pitched their expecta
tions high, are astounded by the menus trial are be
ing reported in advance by scores of towns and cities.
In some instances the 'statewide dinner at which
thousands will sit down at G o’clock on the evening
of that day, will represent the productivity of single
counties alone. That will be true of the Macon din
ner, and of the feast at Amnricus, and of others in
other cities and town.
The response wnich this idea, originated by the
Georgia chamber of commerce, has elicited through
out the state slipuld be very gratifying to those patri
otic men who are giving much of their time ju4t
now to its success. Governor John ,»i. Slaton’s proc
lamation of “Georgia Products Day” has been fol
lowed by mayors’ proclamations in scores of munic-
ipalties, and the estimate is that perhaps as many as
two hundred festive gatherings that evening will
consume Georgia delicacies. In hundreds of private
homes, too, all-Georgia dinners will be served.
Atlanta’s feast, the details of which are being
worked out by the local chamber of commerce, will
be spread in the main hall of the auditorium and
will satisfy some 1,500 diners. Numerous donations
have been made for it, not only of good things to eat,
but also of Georgia-manufactured articles of wear;
and these latter will be distributed among the ticket
holders as appropriate souvenirs of a unique and sig
nificant occasion.
The spirit of the movement is most commendable.
Georgia is a rich state, a busy state, a state independ
ent in her resources. The more her citizens realize
upon the opportunities that are here, the richer she
and they will grow.
A Fearful Toll.
at the lord mayor’s banquet. He declared that there
was not the slightest foundation for the rumor that
Great Britain was proceeding at cross purposes with
the United States in the Mexican matter.
After such generous disclaimer as this, the inci
dent cannot leave an impression upon the public
mind. Its greatest harm already h‘as been done, and
that was slight enough, In lending to Dictator Huer
ta’s obstinacy a cocksureness that now will dis
appear.
Following the echoes of Mr. Asquith’s declaration,
the Westminster Gazette, the government newspaper
in London, drives his point home and adds this
significant remark:
“Diplomacy has other resources than mere force,
and Provisional President Huerta may easily find
that the attitude of this country is in a variety of
ways a matter of great moment to him.”
The chief of the Rome fire department, H. C.
Harrington, is authority for the incomplete statistical
statement that olie hundred and fifty children were
burned to death by open fireplaces in Georgia in the
year ending November 1. Chief Harrington’s in
formation is limited to clippings from the Atlanta
and Rome newspapers, and as they do not include
by any means all of the deaths which he seeks to
note, it is a safe assumption that at least three hun
dred children, and very probably more than that,
were burned to death in the state during that period.
• Nine of the number were burned to death in
Atlanta, the fire chief finds. Since November 1 there
have been several new reports. The latest is not a
day old. An Atlanta child was saved from immediate
death by her crippled brother and may survive.
Stories of these disasters are of ^appalling fre
quence in the daily news. Were Chief Harrington
able to collect all of them from every paper of the
state, his figures would show a truly staggering total
beyond any doubt. His benevolent Intent in gathering
them seems to be to impress upon the public the
danger which they uncover, in order that at least a
few of the children who otherwise would: be sacri
ficed by carelessness to the flames may be saved.
A campaign of education is demanded by the
conditions here revealed. The state fire marshal,
W. R. Joyner, has been urged to issue a bulletin
warning parents against the peril of open fires that
are unscreened. The proposition is a most commend
able one. Not only should the marshal direct' as
much of his attention as is possible and proper to
this subject, hut every newspaper in the state should
remark upon it with a warning. Any waste is to
be condemned, hut a waste of human life—such
wanton waste of human life as this—is unpardonable.
Now is the time of the year when the danger
grows big again, for fires are blazing in every home
in the state and children who have learned to walk
since last winter are toddling upon the hearth. In
some way, every open fire should be screened; and
particularly is the j recaution imperative in a home
where there are children. To neglect it means to in
vite sudden and awful suffering and sadness.
The Moment of Suspense.
Georgia Congratulates Cordele.
Cordele. twenty-five years old Tuesday, is receiving
the congratulations of the occasion and all of Georgia
joins in them. The thriving south Georgia city’s
, anniversary is being celebrated properly by parade
and bands and speeches; and among the paraders
appear a number of her first settlers, including some
TOMi ju«t now in the prime of life.
Cordele may be classed with the youngest genera
tion of Georgia—the generate .which has grown up
with the marvelous development of south Georgia.
They exemplify in their energy and growth the
new spirit that is making of this state a most pros
perous commonwealth.
The average man needs all the patience he has
fjmd then some.
Fate, the magician, has covered the Mexican
situation again with his handkerchief and is reciting
the abracadabra once more, hoping perhaps that
when he whisks away the covering the trick will
have worked and the change will have been wrought.
Several recent failures have revealed the same old
Huerta with a snarl on his face, still sitting on
the lid.
With news that Mr. Lind had taken his departure
from Mexico City and that Dictator Huerta had not
yet been found by his anxious friends after a night
long search about the city for him, the situation bore
the aspect Thursday 'morning of being near to a
culmination. If Huerta had fled the Mexican capital,
that would spell the end. If he had not, the end
was in sight anyway. President Wilson’s emissary
had been in conference at Nogales Wednesday after
noon with General Carranza, the constitutionalist
leader; and the promise from Washington was that
very shortly the government’s policy and program
regarding Mexico will be made public, thus forecast
ing definite action.
There is but the slightest possibility that we will
go to war in Mexico. That possibility has diminished
every hour since President Wilson revealed his con
servative mind and his untiring patience in the mat
ter. The solution now seems to be but a question of
hours. The United States will welcome it, for there
are other matters of importance awaiting the atten
tion of the administratioh.
The Child Welfafe Exhibit.
The health and child welfare exhibit of the Rus
sell Sage Foundation and the child’s welfare com
mittee of America, which has been on display at the
Conservation exposition in Knoxville, will be brought
to Atlanta and shown in the Leyden house from No
vember 24 to December 10. A committee representing
the leading organ.zations in the city already has
financed the expense of bringing it here, the Atlanta
Federation of Women’s clubs having been one of the
most important -factors in that work.
This exhibit should receive the interest and co
operation of every Atlanta cit.zen. Particularly
should it appeal to the women and children. All
should prepare to study it and derive the greatest
possible benefit from its vast collection of informa
tion.
THE BLESSING
BY DR. FRANK CRANE.
(Copyright. 1918, by Frank Crane.)
In the days of our youth the family never sat
down to the table without the blessing. All heads
would be bowed, and all the clatter of child-voices
would hush, while father would say:
“For what we are about to receive, O Lord make
us truly grateful. Amen.”
Alas! the blessing is gone. Nobody gets up
to breakfast, or the affair is a “movable feast,” where
one at a time the people appear, snatch a bite and a
sup and hurry away.
There are even many who have their coffee and
rolls while lying abed; of which custom let us say
nothing.
City people eat their midday meals downtown in
restaurant or club, where, ctf course, there is no room
for blessing—quite the contrary.
The family usually gathers at dinner, but in how
many households do they fall to, like unsouled ani
mals, without one word of grace to redeem the crass
ness of feeding?
I hold it is not a matter of belonging to a church,
believing a creed, or professing to be pious, but that
it is an act of decency, and of human dignity, and of
that spiritual self-respect all souls ought to have to
say grace.
Adopt the custom in your household. Let there be
at least one minute in the day when, as a family, of
ficially and ritually, you seriously recognize that you
are children of the infinite, pensioners upon the boun
ty of “a power not of yourselves.*
Don't let your peculiar theology, or lack of it,
hinder you from a sweet and wholesome ceremony that
may light up a sordid day with a little beam of the
Sun of souls.
One family I know used to sing the blessing; and
who, whether Jew, Buddhist, Christian or agnostic,
could be anything but bettered by joining for a mo
ment, before eating, in this hymn?
“Be present at our table, Lord;
Be here as everywhere adored;
Feed us with bread, and grant that we
May feast in paradise with Thee!”
If that sounds too churchly, say the quaint “Sel
kirk Grace,” once used by Bobby Burns:
“Some hae meat and canna eat,
And some wad eat that want it.
But we hae meat, and we can eat.
And sae the Lord be thanket!"
Think! Here we all are, fellow travelers, upon
“the good ship Faith,” whirling through starry ways.
We know not whence we came nor whither we go.
We know not our appointed- time. There is some pow
er, some mind, in the sum of things, that has all
these secrets.
Eating should be the sacrament indicative of our
reasonable reverence for that Supreme Guiding Spirit.
£Say this grace of Robert Louis Stevenson, liberal
enough for all, to whatever power you believe in:
“Help us to repay in service one to another the
debt of Thine unmerited benefits and mercies.”
CONGRESS AND ITS DUTY
By Savoyard
I am sorry to say that the American congress is
much given to an improvidence—it never does a thing
this session if it can possibly put off the job till next
session. The reason is not far fo seek. Your average
congressman is always a candidate for re-election and
his paramount principle may be stated thus: “The
greatest political calamity that could possibly befall
this country is my defeat.” Of course, there are nu
merous and honorable exceptions, and I could name a
solon in either house of the American congress the
last thirty years who would—and did—set their polit
ical fortunes upon a cast and stood the hazard of
the die.
But as a general proposition congress is afraid and
that is how it came that for many years party polit
ical platforms have meant little—after election. But
for the tmidity of congress we would have had tariff
reform long ago. But for the timidity of a Democratic
congress in 1880 Hancock would have defeated Gar
field for president that year.
I recollect when Mr. Cleveland was chosen presi
dent the second time in 1892. I was working then for
what was perhaps the leading Democratic newspaper
in the south, and in my poor, little, flimsy way I in
sisted on convening congress to go to work on the
tariff. The editor would have none of it and declared
it would be suicidal and idiotic to have an extra ses
sion.
In August, following his inauguration in March, the
president was forced to convene congress to look after
the purchase of silver. By that time the tariff would
have been fixed all right without “party perfidy and
party dishonor,” had the extra session been called.
And don’t you think that great editor has a hun
dred times since denounced Grover Cleveland for fail
ing to convene congress to tinker with the tariff in
March, 1893? Fact.
• • •
Mr. Cleveland was a Very great man, a powerful
personality. Unfortunately he was devoid of tact, and
while he was not without sentiment he was lamentably
deficient in imagination. In the matter of firmness
he was all that Jackson was; in the matter of honesty
he would gaze an eagle blind. I fear he was also lack
ing in that highest quality of a public man, instinct,
that would have forced an extra session of congress
as soon as he became president in 1893.
What a brave man it was! Speaking of Mr. Car
lisle when all the batteries of the adversaries were di
rected against him, Mr. Cleveland grimly said: “He
knows all I ought to know; and I can bear all we
have to bear.”
Well, we have a Democrat in the White House at
this time—Mr. Woodrow Wilson—who is strong where
Grover Cleveland was strong, and he is also strong
where Grover Cleveland was weak. That is why it is
we have a tariff law, and pity it is that it has that
slip-gap for privilege, the o per cent graft for
goods imported in American bottoms. But that will
be fixed right.
And when we got the tariff through this session
congress was, on its head to get away. A thousand
arguments were made against the proposal to deal
with the banking question. Mr. Mann, the Republican
leader of the small minority of the house, proclaims
that currency reform is impossible. It was a thou
sand times predicted that if the tariff law, that eman
cipated industry, was enacted, capital would retire
from business and labor cease work. But capital is
engaged in enterprise and labor has not abandoned
its job.
And congress has made up its mind to “stay on the
job.” If the country shall agree with the Hon. Mann
that congress ought to go home and leave a duty un
performed, then so much the worse for the Demo
cratic party. I rather like the Hon. Mann, and for that
reason I wish that solon were better equipped for ar
gument—a parrot could be taught to demand “No quo-
arum, Mr. Speaker!” Indeed, a pig was taught to se
lect Martin Van Buren’s picture from tne portraits of
the presidents of the United States, and that was an
exercise of more thought than to make the point of “no
quorum.”
But we have a real leader at last in the White
House—the greatest practical as he. is the greatest
speculative statesman now in the business.
And that’s what’s the matter with the Hon. Mann.
In the next congress Victor Murdock will swap “lead
erships” with Mr. Mann—the latter will lead, if he is
a member, a small remnant, an inconsequential and
negligible “third” party.
,e 'ouATtry
RURAL CREDITS
OME topics
Cmpocted
Congenial Occupation.
(Judge.,
“What’s that friend of yours with the anarchistic
tendencies doing these days?”
“He has a job in an automobile factory.”
“Gee! I’ll bet he loves his job.”
“He surely does. All he has to do is to blow up
the tires.”
SELECTING A HOME SITE.
Oftentimes it becomes necessary to build a dwell
ing house on a vacant piece of ground in the rural dis
tricts. (In towns and villages the lots are usually
prescribed and the building must be located according
to streets .water mains, gas pipes, etc.) But the coun
try places have very much more opportunity as to
choice of building spots. Sometimes the parents cut
off a part of their farm or plantation s^nd donate or
sell to the newly married son, or maybe the newly
married daughter. What are the prime requisites as
to that location? I should say, first, accessibility to
running water for stock. If there is a spring, get as
near it as may be practicable, for the burden of draw
ing up water from a well every day and every hour
in the day, perhaps, for all the cows, the horses, the
hogs, the chickens and the folks, soon grows to be
heavy. Like the little girl whose mother found her
sobbing one morning before she had pulled off her
nightie and who told her mother "It made her heart
sick to know she had to dress and undress every day
for the rest of her life.” I should feel exactly like
moaning if all the water had to be drawn up by a
windlass to carry on farm business, unless, indeed,
there was money sufficient to sink an artesian well
and have it spout up to the outside. Plenty of wa
ter is the desideratum. Next I should consider the
drainage proposition. A dwelling should be placed on
ground Suficiently elevated to drain itself in times of
flood and freezes.
, Standing water is always a menace to health. It
holds poultry yard filth and breeds mosquitoes.
See to it that every rain will carry off the loosened
filth that accumulates about barn lots and back yards,
and that the drains are not clogged by rakings and
sweepings.
You can raise shade trees, and you turn your living
room windows to the rays of the sun, and you can
locate your piazzas to be shaded or sunny according to
your pleasure. But a real home must have plenty of
water to drink and for domestic purposes, and the
ground must be drained and relieved from stagnant
water or the finest building in the world would be
spoiled for health and domestic comfort. Fortunately
there are devices for getting water nowadays that were
not dreamed of forty years ago, and the drainage
proposition is being constantly urged by scientists and
humanitarians. But my little preachment, is intended
for the simple farmer who has some land and desires
to get the best possible results from his labor and his
money. If there is any sort of natural water supply,
be sure to cultivate the opportunity. If the water
stands about your premises after a rain start to ditch
ing. )
THE WHIRLIGIG OF POLITICS.
Only three weeks ago Governor Sulzer was being
condemned and expelled from office by his political
enemies. Today’s dispatches tell us that Mr. Sulzer,
deposed governor, is elected a member of the general
assembly of New York state, and will go to Albany
in January, 1914, and hold office with perhaps author-
-ty sufficient to expel some of the very men who
threw him down so hard less than a month ago.
This was going pretty fast within three weeks'
time. Politics is a very fickle mistress, and is as apt
to flirt as to placate those who seek her fickle atten
tions.
A great many politicians make a business of being
all things to all men, intent on holding the office and
drawing the salary.
But the man who follows his convictions and bucl>s
against the machine is as apt to be run over as he is to
endeavor to enter a political contest.
Public opinion, like politics, is very fickle. The
idol of today may be the football of tomorrow. There
are some exceptions, but it is the rule in politics “to
hold on,” “abide the caucus,” and sink your individ
uality in partizanship politics. Of course, this is not
patriotism, but it is politics! It is well understood
that men of real force occasionally follow politics as
a profession, but the finest minds of the country can
not afford to jeopardize their own interests and prog
ress by subjecting themselves to the ups and dovhis
of modern politics. They cannot afford It.
The saddest part of it lies in the fact that profes
sional politicians when defeated are generally ’’bone-
heads” forever after- They hang about Washington
City, and degenerate into lobbyists, or professional
claim agents against the government or are perpetual
ly struggling to get into some minor office so that
they can pay the board bill and still hang on.
THE POULTRY SITUATION
When I was much younger than at present I have
bought many dozens of eggs, fresh laid, for 10 cents
per dozen. Tonight's Journal tells its readers that re
tail stores have put up the price of eggs In New York
City to 75 cents per dozen. I have in my time some
years ago bought ail the frying chickens I needed at
10 cents apiece. I notice the Atlanta prices of today
and live hens bring from 45 to 50 cents, and frying
chickens sell at 25 to SO cents a pound.
Gracious goodness! Why do not our farm women
get down to raising poultry in dead earnest? When
a hen will lay for twelve days in succession, twelve
eggs, and this “hen fruit” will sell for 35 or 40 cents
right here on demand, what do you know that will
beat the profit according to the amount invested? It
beats cotton “all holler!”
Eggs at 75 cents per dozen means 6 1-4 cents
apiece. If one hen can make 75 cents profit in twelve
days and then be in as good condition as when she
started, can’t you see that the farmer’s wife would
have a little gold mine near New York with a few
dozen hens in her poultry yard? There has not been
a day during this present year when I could have
bought a good sized frying chicken for less that a
quarter of a dollar. (I can’t raise chickens on a town
lot.) Just consider for one moment how easily a
farmer’s wife can feed thirty or forty hens, one-half
the eggs to be sold and the other half to be used for
raising frying chickens, and then tell me, If you please,
why every farmyard Is not well supplied with hens
and chickens?
I am not estimating the turkey or duck question at
all at this writing. There are thousands of farm
houses into which The Semi-Weekly goes twice a week.
Will not you tell me why you are not raising poultry
and eggs for sale?
The more a man’s thirst is irrigated the faster
it grows.
Moreover, the freckled criminal is bound to be
spotted.
Success seldom comes to a man who is too lazy
to go after it.
The Land of Dreams
Somewhere, they say, there’s a beautiful I'wad,
The land where dreams come true,
But the road that leads to this far-off land
No mortal ever knew.
In this mythical land of dreams they say
The sky is always blue,
And purple banks of heartsease twine,
’Mid flowers of every hue.
In this wonderful land of dreams I*ve heard
A magic stream winds through
Whose waters banish every care
And faith and love renew.
Somewhere I know is this beautiful land,
The land where dreams come true,
It is where you are, sweetheart, my own,
But I’m lost in finding you.
—BLANCHE DAVIDSON,
VII. THE RAIFFEISEN SYSTEM.
Bi FREDERIC J. HASKIN.
In 1848 there was a season of distressingly hard
times in Germany. The heart of Frederick William
Raiffeisen being moved with pity for the poor of Co
blenz; he organized a co-operative society for the dis
tribution of bread and potatoes among them. The
following»year he founded at Flammersfeld a loan
society for the support of the unprovided farmers, its
members being rich philantnropists who sold cattle
to unorganized farmers at easy rates. In 1862 he or
ganized a third society at Anhausen. which went a
step further, its membership being constituted by the
borrowing farmers themselves—and thus was devel
oped a rural credit system that has carried aid to
millions of farmers, and whose boast is that no man
ever lost a dollar in a Raiffeisen bank.
We can see the development of the idea—first a
charity organization to relieve distress; followed by a
philanthropic organization tO“tt.ssist the farmer to get
back upon his feet; and then an organization of farm
ers helping themselves and making themselves inde
pendent.
* * *
In launching his system of farmers’ banks Raif
feisen kept the moral aspect constantly before him.
He utilized to the full the one certainly intelligent
power then to be found in every farming district, the
parish priest or pastor. With the help of the clergy,
he touched in the peasant the golden chord of neigh
borly affection and brotherly kindness, developing a
new parochial life around the village bank. In this
bank everything was limited and restricted except
liability for the debts of the bank, and as to that
every dollar of every member was pledged to make
them good. The territory in which a bank could op
erate was restricted to that section where every mem
ber was the neighbor and business acquaintance of
every other member; in order that none ut responsi
ble borrowers and men of good habits could become
members. The time of a loan was restricted to a rea
sonable limit so that changed conditions might not
affect it; the amount of the loan was limited by the
reputation and the needs of the borrower; and the uses
to which it could be put were only those that bade
fair to allow the borrower to return the money with
out hardship upon himself.
With his system based upon honesty and thrift,
Raiffeisen discovered a new source of credit—the col*
lective liability of a considerable number of honest,
and thrifty people. The subscribed capital of a Raif
feisen bank is only nominal—there was none at all
until the government passed a law requiring some
suc^ capital. Now a share is often sold for as littlo
as a dollar, and sometimes for as little as 2 cents.
The loan capital of one of these banks is made up
largely of deposits made by peasants, who may de
posit as little as a mark at a time, the smaller de
posits being collected by penny stamp books, and al
though the peasantry uses the Raiffeisen banks for
the bulk of their savings, not a dollar has ever been
lost through such deposits. In addition to this capital
the local bank has an account with a central bank, from
which it obtains credit at low rates.
• • •
The Raiffeisen banks make simple loans, open cur
rent accounts, and handle property transfers, though
the bulk of their business is the handling of simple
loans. For these the security is either a personal
pledge or a motgage, the latter being used when a man
does not find it convenient to offer personal Indorsers.
But in such cases the mortgage is used only in lieu
of personal indorsements, and is not made an instru
ment for a long term loan as in the land mortgage
banks. In all cases the bank insists on knowing not
only the borrower, but the purpose of the loan as well/
The property transfer business of the Raiffeisen
banks is incidental and relatively unimportant. If anl
estate is to be sold and subdivided, and a number of
poor peasants want to get a little tract of land out of
it the bank steps in, pays the seller his price—minus a
small commission—and allows the buyers to reimburse
it in small installments for principal and interest. It
requires the prompt meeting of these installments, thus
encouraging thrift. It tjius keeps the buyers out of the
hands of real estate sharks, who demand large com
missions and encourage arrears so that the buyer may
default in the end. Sometimes these dealers force
sales just at the time when the market is most unfa
vorable, hoping to repurchase at a very low price. At
these times the banks frequently step in, buy the lam*
themselves, resell it at a favorable time, and genfo’-
ously refuse to take advantage of the bargain. They
restore the profit to the man who was forced to sell,
deducting only the usual commission for the service.
Of course, this wins the contidence of a community for
its bank. Of ter the man who has had to sell is thus
saved enough money to give him a fresh start. This
land transfer business is confined to southwest Ger
many in the main, and take place only when the bank
has surplus money, and when a member of the society
will be protected by the transaction.
The Raiffeisen bank never has a pretentious place
of business. It has no handsome buildings with
barred windows and grilled cages; neither lias it a
force of clerks discharging a constant round of busi
ness, while directors interview special clients in a
room apart. It is usually located in a small room,
probably at the back of a farm building, and is open
only twice a week, its routine presided over by a sin
gle person—the accountant. Business is by no meant*
brisk; now comes a child with a few pennies to de
posit, now an old and palsied man. who, signing with
a cross, draws out a few marks for his support. Once
a week there is a meeting of the directors, who discuss
the credit problems that have arisen since their last
meeting.
The credit usually advanced by one of these banks
averages around $100. Loans can be called in
upon a four weeks’ notice, but this is seldom done
unless it appears that the borrower is not putting his
money to good use, or is allowing his property to go to
the dogs and himself to drift toward insolvency. The
inculcation of punctuality of payment as a moral duty
was the hardest of Raiffeisen’s tasks, but it has proved
his greatest triumph.*
Summing up the results of Raiffeisen’s work in*
establishing a system of rural credit, C. R. Fay, one of
the deepest of the English students of rural credits,
says: “If it be asked finally what Raiffeisen banks
have done which other banks have not, it may be re
plied that Raiffeisen created out of hopeless chaos the
only kind of credit possible for the small agriculturist.
Indeed, the change wrought in many places is nothing
sliort of a revolution. The experience of the parent
village bank may serve in illustration:
“About an hour’s walk from Neuwied on the Rhine*
is situated on the plateau bordering the Westerwald
the little village of Anhausen. The district is not fer
tile and the inhabitants are small peasant proprietors,
some with only sufficient land to graze an ox or a
cow. An own<?r of ten acres is a rich man. Bfefore
the year 1862 the village presented a sorry aspect;
rickety buildings, untidy yards in rainy weather run
ning with filth, never a sight of a decently piled ma
nure heap; the inhabitants themselves ragged and im
moral; drunkenness and quarreling universal. Houses
and ozen belonged, with few exceptions, to Jewisa
dealers. Agricultural implements were scanty and di
lapidated; the badly worked^ fields brought in poet
returns. The villagers had lost confidence and hope,
and had become the serfs of dealers and usurers. To
day' Anhausen is a clean and friendly looking village,
the buildings well kept, the farm yards clean even on
work days; there are orderly manure heaps on every
farm. The inhabitants are well if simply clothed, and
their manners are reputable. They own the cattle in
their stalls. They are out of debt to usurers and deal
ers. Modern Implements are used by nearly every
farmer, the value of the farms has risen, and tli«
fields, carefully and fully cultivated, yield large crops.
And this change, which is something more than sta
tistics can express, is the work of a simple Raiffeisen
bank.”